Lockheed Martin is helping the Air Force Research Lab develop and mature high energy laser weapon systems, including the high energy laser pictured in this rendering. Credit: Air Force Research Lab (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin)

A manufacturable operational 60-kilowatt air-to-air/air-to-ground laser weapon system would be a pretty impressive achievement, however the question is, is 60 kilowatts enough to disable an enemy fighter aircraft (or bomber) AND even light-armored ground targets with the same speed as a 20-30mm cannon system? Or, do you need to go to 90-100 kilowatts or more to achieve that level of performance? How much power would you need to quickly penetrate a modern main battle tank (MBT) from the air, say from an altitude of 10,000-30,000 feet while traveling at various speeds, and shooting frome various angles? Defense Review doesn’t know. So, we’re going to research it.

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.